trees

In the summer of 2013, I walked a demanding 500 miles and I'm damn proud of it.

After working 60-80 hour weeks for nine months, living in a crowded city, and becoming one of the thousands of tired, nerve-shaken souls John Muir spoke about, I realized the famous naturalist was right when he said, "going to the mountains is going home."

Aided by rainfall, firefighters were taking control of a forest fire that destroyed about 40 homes in the Eastern Sierra near Mammoth Mountain.

Crews had the blaze about 65% contained by Sunday, nearly two days after a blaze whipped by winds tore into the towns of Swall Meadows and Paradise, with about 250 inhabitants. The towns are about 25 miles southeast of the Mammoth Mountain ski resort, near U.S. Highway 395.

The main problem now is more than four dozen downed power lines and damaged trees, making conditions too hazardous to lift mandatory evacuation orders in the area.

The El Dorado Chapter of the California Native Plant Society presents Before and After the Flames: Fire, Forest and Climate Change in the Sierra Nevada, a talk by Dr. Hugh D. Safford, Senior Vegetation Ecologist for the US Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Region (including California, Hawaii and Pacific Islands) and Dr. Becky Estes, ecologist with the the US Forest Service, Tuesday, January 27th, 7pm at the Planning Commission Meeting Room, Building C of the County Office Buildings, 2850 Fairlane Court in Placerville. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Skiing is a phenomenally exciting and fun sport. However, the injury rate is relatively high, with more than 20,000 knee injuries sustained each year by skiers in the U.S. alone, most of which involved the ACL. The question is why and what can you do about it?

My advice on how to avoid common injuries is based on my 55 years of skiing, more than two decades of being an orthopaedic surgeon for the U.S. Ski Team, the Pro Ski tour, the Jeep Tour, 48 Straight Ski tour and other winter sports events. However it is not gospel. There are many views and disagreements on skiing safety.

There is so much more to SnowGlobe that the beat of the bass heard echoing through the trees in your neighborhood. It is much more than a very large group of young people turning out for a techno concert outdoors.

It is an experience.

I am a member of the "over 50" crowd so the music featured at SnowGlobe is not something I know much about so I went into SnowGlobe to see what it's all about.

High winds kept emergency personnel busy throughout the day on Thursday. Downed power lines and trees wrecked havoc on the South Shore where many residents were without power for much of the day and evening.

A 200 ft tall tree fell at St. Theresa's Catholic Church just before noon. A photo of the tree barely missing the statue of St. Theresa in front of the church made it to the national news via Associated Press according to Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District Marshall Eric Guevin. Most of the damage was to the tree.

Dr. James Tarwater has informed parents that schools in South Lake Tahoe are closing immediately due to a power black out for the area. He reported that the black out will last until 4:30 p.m.

All parents are requested to pick up their students and buses will start transporting children if they are normally transported by bus. Each school has a different Bus departure time starting with STMS at 12:45 p.m., STHS at 1:30 p.m., Bijou at 1:35 p.m., Sierra House and Tahoe Valley Elementary schools at 2:10 p.m., and the Magnet School at 2:25 p.m.

Join us for an exciting and educational story time. Come and support local non-profit, The Sugar Pine Foundation and hear the story of "The Happiest Tree in the Forest", a new children’s book about the sugar pine trees of Lake Tahoe.

With colorful and playful illustrations the book tells the story of Lambe, a lonely little sugar pine seedling who grows up to be a very happy tree. Follow Lambe as he grows from ‘a little seed in a big pinecone’ into the biggest sugar pine in all the forest. Meet all of his animal friends along the way.

Location

If you haven't made it to the annual Festival of the Trees yet, you have through Sunday to take in all of the holiday fun. Trees and wreaths line the convention center at Harrahs and people can try and win everyone on display with a high bid.

Designer Trees
Best of Show and Most Elegant:
Noir et Blanc, Designers: Katie Long, Thran's Flowers
Best Interpretation of Theme:
Moulin Rouge, Designers: The Merry Widows and The Gallant Widowers
Most "Outside the Box" or Creative:
Sew Wonderful, Designer: Caryn Hughes

Local School Trees

The anticipation from youngsters was contagious on Friday night during Barton's Festival of the Trees. Not only did they have hot chocolate and popcorn, but kids were making ornaments, writing letters to santa, watching the performers from Marcia Sarosik Dance and South Tahoe high, but the jolly guy himself was there, listening to all of the wish lists.

Teddy bears of all shapes, sizes and conditions were taken to the Teddy Bear Hospital where doctors and nurses from Barton Health examined, x-rayed and bandaged the bears who weren't feeling too well.

Ready to grab the saw and head out into the forest to cut down your Christmas tree? It's almost that time of year again, but make sure you have a permit before that first cut.

Free public fire wood gathering will again be available at the Wrights Lake Recreation Area on the Eldorado National Forest to this weekend, November 8-9. “This weekend’s weather forecast is favorable,” stated Richard Thornburgh, Pacific District Ranger. “We feel this is a perfect opportunity to continue cleaning up the area by allowing people to take home free firewood.” The Recreation Area was hit by a severe wind storm almost a year ago, causing more than 200 trees to fall.

Food and fun for the entire family. Each child gets a goody bag and can enjoy crafts, the Teddy Bear Hospital, and a photo with Santa! Bring a favorite teddy bear from home to be pampered and dressed. Purchase tickets at: www.FestivalofTreesLakeTahoe.com or call (530) 543-5614. Get tickets early - this event sells out!

Price:Adults 13 and over: $30. Children 2-12: $25. Children under 2 years old are FREE!

Location

Stroll through a holiday wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights on decorated Christmas trees and holiday decor! Vote for your favorite tree in the Festival's "People's Choice Award" contest. Settle down to watch the entertainment, bid in the silent auction, enter the raffle, get a family photo with Santa, and take the kids to Teddy Bear Hospital. Kids can stop by the Gingerbread Junction, where they can write a letter to Santa and drop it in the giant mailbox for express delivery to the North Pole.

Location

South Lake Tahoe's Golden Girl Jamie Anderson is throwing a party in her hometown to help raise money for the sugar pine trees.

On Thursday, November 6, Jamie in presenting "Golden Experience" at Azul Latin Kitchen in the Heavenly Village from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. She will talk about her trip to Socchi, Russia and the winning of a gold medal.

The Sugar Pine Foundation will be auctioning off some snowboard gear signed by Jamie, Vail lift tickets and winter themed art.

Tickets $20 per person include a poster of Jamie snowboarding. Kids are free.

As supervisor of Lake Valley’s wildfire prevention program for almost 10 years, I have witnessed a great change in our community’s awareness and understanding of our biggest hazard. However, I can honestly say that we have so much more work to do. For less than $10 a month, you can both safeguard our community and move our economy forward. Wildfire prevention is cheaper than suppression. Residents will continue to receive free curbside chipping. Local tree and roofing contractors will continue to benefit through rebates.

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District's Wildfire Prevention Program has organized a FREE chipping day for City of South Lake Tahoe residents on October 18. With the help of the California Conservation Corp and cooperation from South Lake Tahoe Fire Department, residents can get help with defensible space and slash removal.

In order to participate in the chipping service, homeowners must follow these guidelines:
• Place slash and brush piles adjacent to a driveway or street so the chipper crew can readily have access.

The fall planting season for the sugar pine tree is underway around Lake Tahoe. The public is invited to join the Sugar Pine Foundation in any (or all) of their four scheduled plantings.

The Sugar Pine Foundation's Fall Planting Schedule

Saturday, Oct. 11th, 11-1pm - Rubicon McKinley Planting, 6445 Chamberland Drive, Tahoe National Forest, Tahoma, CA

Saturday, Oct. 18th, 10-12pm - Kingsbury Middle School Planting, 1900 Echo Court, Toiyabe National Forest, Glenbrook, NV

Editor's note: This is part of a series on all of the change going on in South Lake Tahoe. We'll be updating you with photos and news.

What was once a run down trailer park, and sometime homeless camp, will soon be a three story, 28 unit condominium complex named Tahoe Woods Condominiums. In an area at the southern end of Cedar and Manzanita Avenues, seven separate buildings are currently being constructed amidst the trees. The northern tip of the property is a pathway that runs adjacent to the Tahoe Meadows community.

The TRPA, U.S. Forest Service and the California Public Utilities Commission have released a final environmental impact report on the proposed electrical system upgrade in North Lake Tahoe by Liberty Utilities.

The proposed 625 and 650 Electrical Line Upgrade Project would consist primarily of an upgrade of Liberty Energy's existing 625 and 650 electrical power lines and associated substations from 60 kilovolt to 120 kV, to allow the entire North Lake Tahoe Transmission System to operate at 120 kV.

9/28/14 10:00 p.m. update: 4,420 firefighters and support staff are still on the scene of the 97.099 acre King Fire which is now 89% contained.

After 4 days of precipitation with accumulations of 1-3 inches, fire spread has been halted, however heat remains in the heavier fuels and in the heavy duff sheltered from the rain under the dense timber canopy. As the weather turns warm and dry over the next several days, expect to see an increase in fire activity and smoke production; however spread potential is extremely low, doe to the successful suppression efforts.

Editor's note: This is part of a series on all of the change going on in South Lake Tahoe. We'll be updating you with photos and news.

Ground won't break until May on the new Edgewood Tahoe Resort but the golf course is already undergoing major changes to prepare for the big project. Trees have been cleared, the 9th hole has been reconfigured and made into a par 3, and a 10 foot tall fence is being erected around the construction site.

The new pier has already been constructed and will allow guests to boat to the resort.

Come learn about this spectacular trees at the Sugar Pine Foundation Presentation. Did you know that sugar pines are the largest pines in the world? And they have the longest cones? Come to a discussion of white pines and local forestry issues with the Executive Director of the Sugar Pine Foundation, Maria Mircheva. You will see a video of their work climbing trees to collect seeds and be able to examine their giant slingshot first hand. 
 

Location

Flood recovery measures are being taken in the Fish Springs area of Douglas County after Wednesday night's flash flood closed several roads and damaged homes.

According to the Douglas County Sheriff's office, this incident produced hazardous conditions due to the amount of water and dark evening hours which created safety concerns and inhibited immediate damage assessment.

The Reverse 911 was down in Douglas County so emergency messages had to be relayed through the National Weather Service, which is the backup system. Reverse 911 should be back up and working by August 15.